Federal Dollars for Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services Will Help Improve Well Being of At-Risk Students

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that Congress is set to give final approval for $300,000 for Ohel Children's Home and Family Services. Senator Gillibrand aggressively lobbied members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year's spending bill.

"Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our kids," Senator Gillibrand said. "These federal dollars will help give Ohel Children's Home and Family Services the resources they need to reach out and protect more New York City children, and provide the mentoring, guidance and leadership they need for a path to a bright future. I pledge to always be a voice for our young people, and work to make sure they are safe and have every opportunity to succeed."

Ohel Children's Home and Family Services, a premiere foster care agency in New York City, comprises 1,000 full and part-time psychiatrists, psychologists, certified social workers, nurses and counselors who provide tutoring, mentoring, vocational training and respite work for New York City children and families.

The $300,000 federal investment will go toward Ohel's "At-Risk Youth and Child Abuse Prevention" program to help improve the well-being of elementary and high school students through school-based services, community education, crisis intervention, psychological counseling, teacher training and mentoring.

The House and Senate have each passed their version of the appropriations bill, and today Senator Gillibrand announced that the funding was included in the final, combined version.